Chapter 127: The Hunger to Prove
Chapter 127: The Hunger to Prove
Monday, August 16, 2010
Two days after the tough loss to Sheffield United, Broadfield Stadium felt tense. The training pitches baked under the August sun, and the air in Crawley was hot and heavy.
Niels arrived at dawn, his pickup clattering to a stop by the training ground’s old gate. The sharp smell of burnt grass and diesel hung in the air.
His chest was tight with frustration and determination, the upcoming Preston match felt like a chance to turn things around or fall further into trouble.
The media kept piling on and Monday’s headlines hit hard: "Crawley’s Fire Fizzles at Bramall Lane," shouted one.
Another one, "Niels’ Dream Unraveling Already?" The criticism cut deep, adding pressure to a squad already shaken by defeat, their confidence shaky and unsteady.
Niels held a worn clipboard filled with notes on Preston’s counterattacks and the key roles of Pogba and Freeman in the midfield.
Monday’s training was tough. The squad worked in small groups, but the midfield trio—Pogba, Nate Sutton, and Freeman seemed disconnected.
Their passes were short, and they barely looked at each other. The loss still hung over them, and the mood was tense.
Thiago tried to liven things up, flicking the ball and shouting, "Come on, Time to wake up" But it didn’t work the energy stayed flat, like a song out of tune.
Niels’s voice sliced through the heavy air, sharper than usual, his frustration spilling out. "Pogba! Close the gap! Freeman, demand the ball!"